Life is Too Short

by Mickey Rooney

He soared form the wrong side of Brooklyn to the top of the world. And he's still hot six decades later. Now, with crackling wisdom and great humor, Mickey takes us back and tells us about: The early days, the wild parties, and squandered fortunes . . . The dark days on the downside of
fame . . . The fabled friendships, torrid romances, and legendary marriages . . . The blockbuster films and head-busting moguls . . . Inside stories about Ava Gardner, Judy Garland, Clark Gable, Elizabeth Taylor, Charlie Chaplin, Spencer Tracy, and a host of others.
Mickey Rooney opens a wide window into an extraordinary life, one of startling adventure, tremendous excess, flagrant hedonism, heart-wrenching love, and an immense and giving talent that looms larger than life itself.
"LIFE IS TOO SHORT is a little masterpiece . . . . Fascinating." —Los Angeles Daily News

642 pages, Hardcover

First published April 16, 1991

About the author

Mickey Rooney began his show business career as a toddler making his way on stage to steal the applause. He entered the movies not long afterward in the Mickey McGuire series (which prompted him to change his name from Joe Yule Jr. to Mickey Rooney). His talents won him many memorable roles throughout the years and his popularity peaked when he was a teenager when he appeared regularly in the Andy Hardy series and in musicals opposite Judy Garland.

During WWII, Rooney entertained the troops overseas and upon returning to Hollywood found his career in decline. He made sporadic films with little fanfare and seemed to be washed up. However, he continued to find work in television.

In 1981, Rooney played the title role in Bill, a film about a mentally disabled man, and the performance brought him a Golden Globe award. His boundless energy kept him in the spotlight in various stage shows.

In 2011, Rooney appeared before a US Senate committee on the topic of elder abuse claiming that he was the victim of such abuse by members of his own family.

Rooney was married eight times and had nine children.